Dog resuscitated by lifeboat crew in rescue

A lifeboat crew member carried out resuscitation on a dog after it was pulled unresponsive from water.

A family-of-four had been walking with Olive the Airedale terrier on the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea when they all got cut off by the incoming high tide.

According to the RNLI inshore lifeboat team, the family waded to safety, but their dog attempted to swim across the channel to the beach and got into difficulty.

The owner managed to retrieve Olive and bring it onshore, before crew member and nurse Simon Parkes administered chest compressions and ultimately helped save its life.

"I am used to resuscitating humans but never a dog," said Mr Parkes.

"It was a huge relief when Olive started slowly breathing.

"Then a great team effort, both inshore and shore crew, getting her back to the boathouse to warm her up. What a relief when Olive was able to walk out with her family.'"

The dog, which was suffering from the cold, was transferred to the boathouse crew room, where she was warmed up before another volunteer crew member, who is also a vet, checked her over.

On Sunday, the family - who are from Cambridge - visited the lifeboat service to say thank you.

Tom, Olive's owner, said: "We could not be more grateful for the rescue and support we received by the brilliant lifeboat crew and on shore team.

"Their professionalism, kindness and care was inspirational and we cannot thank them enough for saving Olive's life and bringing us to safety."

The rescue took place during the afternoon of 29 December.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.